ECO C44 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… Bc50.00

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (0.00).

Top engine moves

  1. 0.004… Bc5 5. c3 Nf6 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5
  2. +0.064… Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O
  3. +0.094… Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. O-O d6 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. Bg5

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black, continuing 5. c3 Nf6 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5. The position is roughly equal (0.00). The next best moves are 4… Nf6 (+0.06) and 4… Bb4+ (+0.09).
Is the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at 0.00: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit?
C44. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).